Narcos Season 2, a spoiler free review and trailer

The manhunt on Pablo dies resembles the epic real life events

Netflix’s “Narcos” came hot with its second season. The druglord-drama shipped with a renewed sense of storytelling, in contrast to 15 years of cartel drug history packed in the first season.

This time, fans follow 18 months of a manhunt for Pablo Escobar after his escape from La Catedral Prison. A shorter time-space ironically gave the characters more space to grow and breathe, a quality that brings substantial promise for seasons to come.

To get viewers out of doubt, yes, Escobar dies during the season, and even if the show continues, this will be Wagner Moura’s last portray of Escobar for Netflix. “Al Fin Cayó,” is the name of the tenth chapter. “Finally, he fell,” forecast the finale’s title.

The 10-episode run it is not about a destination, as history already shows how it ends. It is about the journey. Moreover, by the end of the 10-episode rundown, there are going to be as many fans rooting for Escobar’s death as fans rooting for him to get away.

Narcos season 2, Pablo dies: review

Even when “Narcos” is not a series about war, the season came guns blazing, and violence, bullets and fear of death did not lose importance. In true Netflix fashion, the battle scenes are executed in a brilliant, dynamic style that keeps the camera moving along the characters.

Not to forget that Netflix introduced Daredevil, the best action series of recent times, season 1 got 98% on Rotten Tomatoes – mostly because of its iconic action choreographies and camera style.

The overall tone of corruption and power surrounding the iconic figure of Escobar is present more than ever. Time with family is still the preferred device to show Escobar’s other side, as he behaves like a typical father while masterminding the next blood spill in the streets.

Judy Moncada Narcos season 2. Image credit: Hidden remote.

In season 2, Escobar faces a merciless persecution from various factions wanting the same: the military Search Bloc, the Cali Cartel, the DEA and the Insurgent group “Los Pepes,” all plotting to end his reign as the head of the Medellin Cartel.

The narration of DEA Agent Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) is more subtle than last season. However, the all-around omniscience of the agent about the events unfolding will leave viewers wondering about his knowledge around chapter 6.

The second season also includes strong female characters that are not just girlfriends or wives. Those are DEA agent Claudia Messina (Florencia Lozano), the new superior for Steve and his partner Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal); and rival drug kingpin Judy Moncada (Cristina Umañana), an imposing enemy of the Medellin Cartel.

Who will succeed Wagner Moura’s Escobar?

Meanwhile, the second season seems to have found a new star among their recurring cast. Wagner Moura’s Pablo Escobar is as good as ever but it is Pascal’s character the one that shone.

Bottom line, as the show is called “Narcos” and not “Pablo Escobar,” it very well might continue by following another strong lead. Although it was difficult to best the most notorious drug lord of all times, agent Peña rose as a strong competitor to become the next protagonist.

As the producers say, as long as there is a drug war, there is a story for “Narcos,” and the show has found a neat way to depict the drug battles that still wage today. Albeit with its set of historical inconsistencies and lack of real deepness about the actual scope of the drug business.